The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-11-19

ivory needles, mittens or socks for some
of her dependents.
A large dining table in the room, of
modern make, gave rise to the report that
this was the original family dining-room,
which error, arose from the fact of the Re-
gents Of the Association being then in ses-
sion; and they dined there as matter Of
convenience during their stay.
There are several pieces OF old'time
furniture in the Library, which is now
known as the Massachusetts room, and
is in care of Miss Edith Longfellow,
daughter of the poet, the Vice Regent
chosen to act for that State, as the men,
bers are selected from separate States in
the Union. Their Office is to look after
the interest of the Mt. Vernon Associa-
ton, and to keep the house and grounds
as nearly as possible like their original
designs.
The old tomb, we found, had a new,
round, stone front, and solid iron door,
different from what 1 had ever seen it
before; and was told by Regent that
it was never completed by Washington
as designed, as seen by the old draw
ings found among his effects. They mere
ly carried out his intentions. The money
used for the restoration was gift in the
name of one OF the Regents, Mrs.
from Illinois, whose sons gave few
thousands to be used as a memorial for
their mother, who loved this sacred spot,
and wished to see it all it should be,
through care and restoration. It was
also proposed to build a new and more
durable tomb from this "gift" for the re-
mains, but that was forbidden by Wash
ington's will, which devised that his last
resting place should "be built of brick"
said "will," only, preventing the removal
of his bones to the "crypt" built for them
in the Capitol building years ago.
From the library we stepped into a
small hall on the west side, which opens
out of doors and also into the real fami-
ly dining-room, a room that adjoins Mrs.
Washington's private sitting-room. The
ceiling of the dining-room is succeed
with set center pattern in very faint relief,
a vine-like tracery in pale blue and white.
The fireplace across the southwest cor
ner, is open; round, brass-headed dogs,
with feet wide apart, keep ward and
watch during Summer; and one cold
day it was my muck" to be invited to
warm by it's rudy glow Of swapping chest
nut logs, eat red checked apple from
the estate, and drink mug of cider.
The opposite wall is adorned with the
old sideboard; low and fragile looking;
and wool tapestry curtains of faded tints,
hung on poles are at the two windows
facing westward; some old portraits,
black, cut-out profles, and one or two
minor pictures of antique history, COM
plete the furnishing. The credit of it's
keeping belongs to the Vice Regent of
Virginia.
We retrace our steps through the IL
brary to the little hall where we entered,
climbed flight of box stairs, and find
ourselves facing the entrance to the room
in which Washington died; room grated
in to prevent vandalism, which some very
genteel-looking pilgrims always think it
no sin to commit, since they do want a
souvenir so much, as if-should all so
act in defiance of laws set up for protection
of interesting objects,-there would soon
be none to protect, Washington's private
living room, and the bed on which he
died. 1t is high posted, huted, topped
by testers for bed-hangings, and is broad
as it is long. Closets for household lin
mems, and family treasures are beyond.
There is an open fire. place in this room.
The small table, slim legged, high back.
ed chairs, and one leather-cushioned easy
chair, not unlike the modern "sleepy-hol
low" completes the simple array of nec-
essaries, which look very plain beside
the luxurious surroundings considered
essential by very obscure folks in these
days of lavish expenditure. We turn
away, and explore the suites of small, low
ceiled bedrooms on this floor, one con.
tanning a case of "relics," beside coat. Of
arms, heraldry, ETC., and then we came to
the square hall which has the grand stair
way coming up to it in three short flights,
with landings, from the hall below; four
rooms open into this hall, and stairs run
up in cutoff box to the attic rooms.
The District of Columbia has the keep.
ing of one bedroom. Then there is the
little guest chamber, just large enough
for single bed, wssh-stand and chair,
done up in light, figured chintz very pref
tily. All the young girls exclaim, "How
lovely. wish 1 could sleep there just
one nightp'
Then across the hall is the room most
esteemed in the house, aside from Wash
ington's bedroom, the grand guest cham
Der where his friend, the Marquis D'La-
fayette, lodged when on his return visit
to this country after revolutionary days
were over.
A high-testered bedstesd, an hour
glass stand, slim-legged furniture done up
in blue wool hangings, with modern car
pet to match in tone. The quaint old
crockery, and the tiny dressing case equip
it in better style than any other room.
Beside it is the companion guest